“Mitsubishi Minica Part 2”

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( 三菱 自動車 工業 株式 会社 )

[ TheMitsubishi 360 / Minica Part 2 ]

Mitsubishi Minica1962 – 2011 ( 昭和37-平成23三菱 ミニカ )

[ Part Two:4th – 8th Generation1977 – 2011 ]

The Mitsubishi Minica

The Mitsubishi Minica was first produced by Shin Mitsubishi Heavy-Industries from 1962 – 1964, it was one of 3regional Mitsubishi Heavy Industry ( MHI ) auto companies, until they all merged in 1964. In Japan, it was sold at a specific retail chain called ‘Galant Shop‘. In 2011, after 8 Generations of production, the Minica was replaced by the Mitsubishi eK.

The 4th Generation ( 1977 – 1984 )

In June1977 the car and engine grew once again, creating the Minica Ami 55. While the side body panels remained the same, length increased yet a little more ( 3,175 mm ) and the entire car was widened by 10 mm ( 0.4 in ). The updated 546cc Vulcan 2G23 engine provided 31 PS ( 23 kW ) for the ( A105A ). Its sibling, the Minica 55 Van ( A105V ) was updated in March1977 and was almost impossible to distinguish from the previous Minica 5 Van, apart from badging and a slightly less plasticky front end. The bigger engine provided some useful additional torque, but the sporting Minicas of the early 1970’s were now a memory. The traditional and unusual amongst kei-cars Panhard layout remained.

Minica Ami 55 XL: ( A105A )

September1978 brought another engine upgrade. The new Vulcan II G23B featured the lean burn MCA – Jetemissions control system with a hemispherical head, aluminium rocker arms and 3-valves per cylinder, but power outputs remained the same. The model code became ( A106 ), with ( A106V ) used for the Van which continued to use the bodywork of the 2nd Generation.

In September1981 the car received another redesign. An entire new rear end meant a slightly longer wheelbase, up to 2,050 mm and a somewhat longer and taller body. The somewhat boxy rear end, still with a clamshell rear window, looked a bit incongruous paired with the original Minica F4 front wings and doors. The new Minica was renamed the Minica Ami L ( A107A ), but bigger news was that the Minica 55 Van, based on the 1969A100V, was finally retired. The new ( A107V ) Minica Econo, ‘Econo‘ hinting at its primary use as a private economy car rather than as a commercial vehicle, looked very similar to the Ami L but featured a proper rear hatch and folding rear seat, allowing it to be registered as a light commercial vehicle like its competitors the Daihatsu Mira, Suzuki Alto&Subaru Rex. Cargo capacity, compared to the more workmanlike Minica 55 Van, was reduced from 300 to 200 kgs ( 441 lb ).

The Minica Econo: ( A107V )

A 2-speed, semi-automaticgearbox was also available on all models, while the standard 4-speed manualreceived lower gearing for the Econo model. The engine was quieter than before, featuring a milder cam profile. Power output of the G23B remained the same, although the Econo was stuck with a 29 PS ( 21 kW ) version of the old 2G23engine. Top speed of the Ami was 110 kph ( 68 mph ). In December1981 a strict 2-seater version of the Econo was added. One year later, the Minica was sold with the new ‘MMC‘ logo rather than the old ‘three diamonds‘. In March1983 the Minica Ami L Turbo became the first kei-car to be offered with a turbocharger, offering 39 PS ( 29 kW ) and glitzy graphics. This proved short-lived, as by January1984 production of the A107 Minica’s had ended, with Mitsubishi preparing for the release of an all new, front-wheel drive Minica.

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The 5th Generation ( 1984 – 1989 )

The 5th-generation Minica was introduced in February1984 as a front-engined, front-wheel drive vehicle for the first time. It offered 3&5-door configurations, increased size and a torsion beam / coil spring rear suspension. It retained the G23Bengine, but modernised with a timing belt rather than the old noisy timing chain. The Minica Sedan had 33 PS ( 24 kW ), the Econo 31 PS ( 23 kW ) and the Turbo gained an intercooler and now offered 42 PS ( 31 kW ). Air conditioning finally became 111111an option.

The 5th Generation Minica

In September1985 a 4WD model with a live rear axle was introduced. This generation was the first to reach export markets, usually labelled Mitsubishi Towny, originally with a 2-cylinder 783cc engine and a 4-speed manual transmission. Later in 1987 it received a 3-cylinder 796cc engine with 45 PS ( 33 kW ) and a 5-speed gearbox, also manufactured locally by CMC Motors in Taiwan only as a 5-door, and 3-door panel van was also marketed abroad.

January1989Minica

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The 6th Generation ( 1989 – 1993 )

Minica Dangan ZZ

In January1989 the 6th Generation Minica was officially introduced, although the engine, wheelbase, and suspension remained unchanged. In addition to the 3&5-door models, a variant with a single door on the right side, 2 doors on the passenger side, and a lift gate was introduced, named the ‘Minica Lettuce‘, yes Lettuce !!

The Mitsubishi Lettuce

An advanced new turbo engine with double overhead cams and the world’s firstmass-produced 5-valve-per-cylinderengine was introduced for the Dangan ZZ AWD (all-wheel drive), producing 64 PS ( 47 kW ). It was later made available in naturally aspirated form as well, while the older design engine was also increased in displacement to 657cc in March1990 when the kei-car regulations were again updated. A tall 3-door MPV model with optional 4WD, the ‘Minica Toppo‘, was introduced in 1990. Export versions were still usually carrying the Towny label and featured an 800 cc 41 PS ( 30 kW ) engine.

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( The 1990 Minica Toppo )

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[ In Popular Culture ]

The 7th Generation ( 1993 – 1998 )

The 7th Generation Minica:

The Toppo BJ

In September1993, the 7th Generation 3 & 5-doorMinica & Minica Toppo were introduced, with a longer wheelbase. The 5-valve per cylinder 3-cylinder engines were replaced with a pair of 659cc 4-cylinder engines, one normally aspirated with single overhead cam and 4-valves per cylinder, and one turbocharged with double overhead cam and 5-valves per cylinder. A version of the Toppo with 2 doors on the passenger side, similar to the Lettuce, was made available, along with a limited edition RV ( recreational vehicle ) version. In January1997 versions of the Minica&Toppo with retro-styled front ends were introduced as the ‘Town Bee‘ model, and exported to Taiwan as the Towny.

Minica Town Bee ( Retro Styled )

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The 8th Generation ( 1998 – 2011 )

Coupé: 1998 – 2007 / Sedan: 1998 – 2011

The enlarged8th Generation Minica was introduced in October1998 to take advantage of the new regulations, as 3&5-door Sedans with torsion beam rear suspension and optional 4WD, with the only available engine the 657cc 3-cylinder overhead cam unit, now equipped with 4-valves per cylinder. A 5-door MPV built on this platform but with a 4-cylinder DOHC ( double overhead cam ) 5-valves per cylinder turbocharged engine, known as the ‘Mitsubishi Toppo BJ‘ was also introduced.

The 8th Generation Minica

In January1999 the retro-styled ‘Town Bee‘ version of this generation of Minica and the ‘Mitsubishi Toppo BJ Wide‘ were introduced. In October1999 a 659cc 4-cylinder SOHC ( single overhead cam ) 4-valves per cylinder turbocharged engine was introduced, and in December1999 a limited edition of 50 ‘Mitsubishi Pistachios‘ with a 1,094 cc DOHC 4-valves per cylinder direct-injection engine was made available only to organisations working to protect the environment. In October2001 a 5-door Wagon version of the Minica was introduced as the ‘Mitsubishi eK Wagon‘, and now serves as Mitsubishi’s primary product in the kei class.

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The eK Wagon

( The replacement Mitsubishi eK uses the same platform as the Minica )